Anti-slip apparatus

ABSTRACT

An anti-slip attachment apparatus is provided including a first section having a first section first side and a first section second side. One of either loop fasteners or hook fasteners are on the first section first side. A second section adjoins the first section. The second section has a second section first side and a second section second side. The other of either loop fasteners or hook fasteners are on the second section first side. The second section is adapted to fold onto the first section such that the fasteners on the first section first side contact the fasteners on the second section first side. Additional loop or hook fasteners are on the second section second side.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/053,597 filed May 15, 2008, the disclosure of which is incorporated fully herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an anti-slip apparatus, and more particularly, to an anti-slip apparatus for the shoulder.

2. Description of Related Art

Shoulder straps are known in the prior art. Shoulder straps may be attached to a purse, guitar case, rifle bag, backpack, baby carrier, or another type of bag/case to allow the weight of a bag or case to be supported by the shoulder. In some situations, shoulder straps could slip off a user's shoulder, especially if the user is carrying multiple items. Thus, there is a need for a shoulder strap that will prevent the shoulder strap from slipping off a user's shoulders. Further, there is a need for an apparatus that may be used in conjunction with a shoulder strap that will prevent the shoulder strap from slipping off the user's shoulder.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a shoulder strap is provided including a first strap. A second strap is attached to the first strap. the second strap has at least one of hook fasteners and loop fasteners on one side.

In one exemplary embodiment, the shoulder strap further includes a first attachment device attached to an end of the first strap. The first attachment device is for attaching to a bag or to a case. The shoulder strap also includes a second attachment device attached to an end of the second strap. The second attachment device is for attaching to the bag or to the case.

In one exemplary embodiment, the second strap has a width wider than a width of the first strap.

In one exemplary embodiment, the second strap is padded.

In one exemplary embodiment, the second strap has hook fasteners on the one side.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a shoulder strap is provided including a strap; a first attachment device attached to a first end of the strap, the first attachment device for attaching to a bag or to a case; a padded section attached to a second end of the strap, the padded section having a width wider than a width of the strap; and hook fasteners on a first side of the padded section for attaching to corresponding loop fasteners on an upper body garment.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an anti-slip attachment apparatus is provided including a first section having a first section first side and a first section second side; at least one of hook fasteners and loop fasteners on the first section first side; a second section adjoining the first section, the second section having a second section first side and a second section second side; at least one of hook fasteners and loop fasteners on the second section first side; wherein the second section is adapted to fold onto the first section such that the first section first side contacts the second section second side, the hook fasteners of the second section first side contacting the loop fasteners of the first section first side and the loop fasteners of the second section first side contacting the hook fasteners of the first section first side; and at least one of hook fasteners and loop fasteners on the second section second side.

In one exemplary embodiment, the anti-slip attachment apparatus further includes at least one of hook fasteners and loop fasteners on the first section second side.

In one exemplary embodiment, the first section first side has loop fasteners, the second section first side has hook fasteners, the second section second side has hook fasteners, and the first section second side has loop fasteners.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an anti-slip attachment system is provided including a strip for attaching to a shoulder area of a garment, the strip having at least one of hook fasteners and loop fasteners on a surface; and a shoulder strap including: a first strap; and a second strap attached to the first strap, the second strap having at least one of hook fasteners and loop fasteners on one side for attaching to the corresponding loop fasteners or hook fasteners, respectively, on the surface of the strip.

In one exemplary embodiment, the anti-slip attachment system further includes a first attachment device attached to an end of the first strap, the first attachment device for attaching to a bag or to a case; and a second attachment device attached to an end of the second strap, the second attachment device for attaching to the bag or to the case.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an anti-slip attachment system is provided including a strip for attaching to a shoulder area of a garment, the strip having loop fasteners on a surface; and a shoulder strap including: a strap; a first attachment device attached to a first end of the strap, the first attachment device for attaching to a bag or to a case; a padded section attached to a second end of the strap, the padded section having a width wider than a width of the strap; and hook fasteners on a first side of the padded section for attaching to the corresponding loop fasteners on the surface of the strip.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an anti-slip attachment system is provided including a strip for attaching to a shoulder area of a garment, the strip having at least one of hook fasteners and loop fasteners on a surface; and an anti-slip attachment apparatus including: a first section having a first section first side and a first section second side; at least one of hook fasteners and loop fasteners on the first section first side; a second section adjoining the first section, the second section having a second section first side and a second section second side; at least one of hook fasteners and loop fasteners on the second section first side; and at least one of hook fasteners and loop fasteners on the second section second side, wherein the second section is adapted to fold onto the first section such that the first section first side contacts the second section second side, the hook fasteners of the second section first side contacting the loop fasteners of the first section first side and the loop fasteners of the second section first side contacting the hook fasteners of the first section first side.

In one exemplary embodiment, the anti-slip attachment apparatus further includes at least one of hook fasteners and loop fasteners on the first section second side.

In one exemplary embodiment, the first section first side has loop fasteners, the second section first side has hook fasteners, the second section second side has hook fasteners, and the first section second side has loop fasteners.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top-side perspective view of an anti-slip shoulder strap according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom-side perspective view of the anti-slip shoulder strap according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an anti-slip attachment apparatus in an open position according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the anti-slip attachment apparatus in a closed position according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the anti-slip attachment apparatus of the second exemplary embodiment attached to a shoulder strap of a rifle bag.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the anti-slip attachment apparatus of the second exemplary embodiment attached to a carrying bag.

FIG. 7 is a front view of an upper body garment having an anti-slip apparatus according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is another front view of an upper body garment having the anti-slip apparatus according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a side view showing a person wearing an upper body garment with the anti-slip apparatus of the third exemplary embodiment and wearing a backpack that includes the anti-slip attachment apparatus of the second exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a side view showing a person wearing an upper body garment with the anti-slip apparatus of the third exemplary embodiment, wearing a backpack that includes the anti-slip attachment apparatus of the second exemplary embodiment, and carrying a rifle bag that includes the anti-slip shoulder strap of the first exemplary embodiment or the anti-slip attachment apparatus of the second exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a side view showing a person wearing an upper body garment with the anti-slip apparatus of the third exemplary embodiment and carrying a rifle that includes the anti-slip shoulder strap of the first exemplary embodiment or the anti-slip attachment apparatus of the second exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a front view of an upper body garment having an anti-slip apparatus according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a top-side perspective view of an anti-slip shoulder strap 10 according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The anti-slip shoulder strap 10 attaches to a carrying bag/case and is worn over the shoulder. The carrying bag/case may be a purse, guitar case, rifle bag, backpack, baby carrier, or another type of bag/case. In the case of a rifle bag, the shoulder straps are often referred to as a sling. The anti-slip shoulder strap 10 includes pad section 13, which makes contact with a top of a shoulder, and possibly a side of a neck, and may extend to a front and a back of the upper torso. The pad section 13 is adjoined with strap section 11 by an attachment loop 15. Attachment devices 12 and 14 are attached to ends of the strap section 11 and pad section 13, respectively, for connecting with a carrying bag/case. The pad section 13 may be formed of varying widths and padding in order to provide proper support and comfort against the shoulder and neck when carrying items in an attached carrying bag/case. The strap section 11 may be formed of fabric or other flexible material such as leather, vinyl, or rubber. The pad section 13 may also be formed of fabric or other flexible material and may include cushioning padding to ease strain on the shoulder.

FIG. 2 is a bottom-side perspective view of the anti-slip shoulder strap 10 according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As depicted in FIG. 2, a bottom-side of pad section 13 includes hook fasteners and/or loops 16 (also known as Velcro® hook and loop fasteners; Velcro® is a registered trademark of Velcro Industries B.V.). In an exemplary embodiment, the pad section 13 includes hook fasteners for attaching to loops or includes loops for attaching to hook fasteners located on the shoulder of an upper body garment. In another exemplary embodiment, the pad section 13 includes both hook fasteners and loops for attaching to loops and hook fasteners, respectively, located on the shoulder of an upper body garment.

The shoulder strap 10 includes hook-and-loop fasteners 16 on only one side of the pad section 13, which allows the shoulder strap 10 to be used in both slip and anti-slip positions. That is, when a user would like to be able to easily slip the shoulder strap from his shoulder, the user may flip pad section 13 around such that the hook-and-loop fasteners 16 face away from the corresponding hook-and-loop fasteners on an upper body garment. Alternatively, when a user would like extra support in maintaining the shoulder strap on the shoulder, the user may flip pad section 13 around such that the hook-and-loop fasteners 16 face toward the corresponding hook-and-loop fasteners on an upper body garment.

Because a user may flip the pad section 13 over numerous times while wearing the shoulder strap 10, the attachment loop 15 may alternatively be a swivel connection, such as a cylindrical rod or sphere that turns freely in a support structure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an anti-slip attachment apparatus 20 in an open position according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the anti-slip attachment apparatus 20 in a closed position according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As depicted in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the anti-slip attachment apparatus 20 has a loop section 21 with loops on a front side 21′ and an adjoining hook section 22 with hook fasteners located on both sides 22′ and 22″. The loop section 21 may be padded. The hook section 22 is closed around a strap with side 22′ of the hook section 22 making contact with loop section 21. Side 22″ of the hook section 22 provides anti-slip functionality for an attached strap. Sides 22′, 21′ may further include button snaps 60, 61′ for further securing side 22′ to side 21′. Although FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 depict the anti-slip attachment apparatus 20 as having a loop section with an adjoining hook section with hook fasteners on both sides, alternatively the anti-slip apparatus 20 may have a hook fastener section with an adjoining loop section with loops on both sides. Either may be used depending on whether hook fasteners or loops are part of the upper body garment to which the shoulder strap will attach.

In an exemplary embodiment, loop section 21 does not have hook-and-loop fasteners on a backside 21″ (only the front side 21′ of loop section 21 is shown in FIG. 4; the back side 21″ of loop section 21 is shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10). In an alternative exemplary embodiment, loop section 21 includes hook-and-loop fasteners on the back side 21″, which would allow for one or more additional straps to be attached to the back side 21″ of the loop section 21.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the anti-slip attachment apparatus 20 of the second exemplary embodiment attached to a sling 23 of a rifle bag 24. The anti-slip attachment apparatus 20 may be placed anywhere along the sling 23 for proper comfort.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the anti-slip attachment apparatus 20 of the second exemplary embodiment attached to a carrying bag 25.

FIG. 7 is a front view of an upper body garment 31 having an anti-slip apparatus 30 according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The anti-slip apparatus 30 are hook-and-loop fasteners and are located on the shoulder area for maintaining a strap placed over the shoulder on the shoulder.

FIG. 8 is another front view of an upper body garment 32 having the anti-slip apparatus 30 according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The anti-slip apparatus 30 may be formed integrally with the upper body garment 32 (in this case a hunting/fishing vest) or may be provided as an iron-on or stitch-on hook-and-loop fastener strip.

FIG. 9 is a side view showing a person wearing an upper body garment 33 with the anti-slip apparatus 30 of the third exemplary embodiment and wearing a backpack 40 that includes the anti-slip attachment apparatus 20 of the second exemplary embodiment. As depicted in FIG. 9, the anti-slip attachment apparatus 20 may be attached to one or more shoulder straps 41 of the backpack 40. The anti-slip attachment apparatus 20 prevents the shoulder straps 41 of the backpack 40 from moving on the shoulder. As described in relation to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the anti-slip attachment apparatus 20 may include hook-and-loop fasteners on a back side 21″ for allowing one or more additional straps to attach.

FIG. 10 is a side view showing a person wearing an upper body garment 33 with the anti-slip apparatus 30 of the third exemplary embodiment, wearing a backpack 40 that includes the anti-slip attachment apparatus 20 of the second exemplary embodiment, and carrying a rifle bag 24 that includes the anti-slip shoulder strap 10 of the first exemplary embodiment or the anti-slip attachment apparatus 20 of the second exemplary embodiment. As depicted in FIG. 10, the anti-slip attachment apparatus 20 is attached to one or more shoulder straps of backpack 40 and includes hook-and-loop fasteners on a back side 21″ for allowing one or more additional straps to attach. The person is also carrying a rifle bag 24 with the anti-slip shoulder strap 10 or the anti-slip attachment apparatus 20, which is attached to the back side 21″ of the attachment apparatus 20 of the backpack. As made clear in FIG. 10, the anti-slip attachment apparatus may provide two functions: (1) maintaining the strap to which it is attached on the shoulder, and (2) allowing one or more additional straps to attach.

FIG. 11 is a side view showing a person wearing an upper body garment 33 with the anti-slip apparatus 30 of the third exemplary embodiment and carrying a rifle 24 that includes the anti-slip shoulder strap 10 of the first exemplary embodiment or the anti-slip attachment apparatus 20 of the second exemplary embodiment. As depicted in FIG. 11, in an exemplary embodiment, pad section 13 includes hook and loop fasteners on one side, which allows a user to carry a rifle 24 in both an anti-slip position for securing the shoulder strap on a shoulder and in a slip position for allowing easy removal of the shoulder strap from the shoulder. Such an embodiment would be useful when hunting, as a hunter may position the shoulder strap in a slip position when the hunter needs to position the rifle quickly during hunting, and may position the shoulder strap in an anti-slip position when the hunter is hiking in rough terrain so that the rifle does not slip off the shoulder. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the anti-slip shoulder strap 10/20 has hook and loop fasteners on both sides of pad section 13.

FIG. 12 is a front view of an upper body garment 51 having an anti-slip apparatus 50 according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As depicted in FIG. 12, the upper body garment 51 includes a hook-and-loop fastener strip 50″ having a button down strap 50′ that may be used to cover the hook-and-loop fastener strip 50″ when not in use. The button down strap 50′ includes button 50″′. The button down strap 50′ may additionally include hook-and-loop fasteners on a bottom portion to attach to the hook-and-loop fastener strip 50″.

While the invention has been described in terms of exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the words which have been used are words of description and not of limitation. As is understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art, a variety of modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the following claims, which should be given their fullest, fair scope. For example, in the various embodiments depicting hook and loop fasteners, the fasteners may be hook elements or loop elements or an arrangement incorporating both hook and loop fastener elements. 

1. A shoulder strap comprising: a first strap; and a second strap attached to the first strap, the second strap having at least one of hook fasteners and loop fasteners on one side.
 2. The shoulder strap of claim 1, further comprising: a first attachment device attached to an end of the first strap, the first attachment device for attaching to a bag or to a case; and a second attachment device attached to an end of the second strap, the second attachment device for attaching to the bag or to the case.
 3. The shoulder strap of claim 1, wherein the second strap has a width wider than a width of the first strap.
 4. The shoulder strap of claim 1, wherein the second strap is padded.
 5. The shoulder strap of claim 1, wherein the second strap has hook fasteners on the one side.
 6. A shoulder strap comprising: a strap; a first attachment device attached to a first end of the strap, the first attachment device for attaching to a bag or to a case; a padded section attached to a second end of the strap, the padded section having a width wider than a width of the strap; and hook fasteners on a first side of the padded section for attaching to corresponding loop fasteners on an upper body garment.
 7. An anti-slip attachment apparatus comprising: a first section having a first section first side and a first section second side; at least one of hook fasteners and loop fasteners on the first section first side; a second section adjoining the first section, the second section having a second section first side and a second section second side; at least one of hook fasteners and loop fasteners on the second section first side; wherein the second section is adapted to fold onto the first section such that the first section first side contacts the second section first side, the one of hook fasteners and loop fasteners of the second section first side contacting the other of hook fasteners and loop fasteners of the first section first side; and at least one of hook fasteners and loop fasteners on the second section second side.
 8. The anti-slip attachment apparatus of claim 7, further comprising: at least one of hook fasteners and loop fasteners on the first section second side.
 9. The anti-slip attachment apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first section first side has loop fasteners, the second section first side has hook fasteners, the second section second side has hook fasteners, and the first section second side has loop fasteners.
 10. An anti-slip attachment system, comprising: a strip for attaching to a shoulder area of a garment, the strip having at least one of hook fasteners and loop fasteners on a surface; and a shoulder strap including: a first strap; and a second strap attached to the first strap, the second strap having at least one of hook fasteners and loop fasteners on one side for attaching to the corresponding loop fasteners or hook fasteners, respectively, on the surface of the strip.
 11. The anti-slip attachment system of claim 10, further comprising: a first attachment device attached to an end of the first strap, the first attachment device for attaching to a bag or to a case; and a second attachment device attached to an end of the second strap, the second attachment device for attaching to the bag or to the case.
 12. The anti-slip attachment system of claim 10, wherein the second strap has a width wider than a width of the first strap.
 13. The anti-slip attachment system of claim 10, wherein the second strap is padded.
 14. The anti-slip attachment system of claim 10, wherein the second strap has hook fasteners on the one side.
 15. An anti-slip attachment system, comprising: a strip for attaching to a shoulder area of a garment, the strip having loop fasteners on a surface; and a shoulder strap including: a strap; a first attachment device attached to a first end of the strap, the first attachment device for attaching to a bag or to a case; a padded section attached to a second end of the strap, the padded section having a width wider than a width of the strap; and hook fasteners on a first side of the padded section for attaching to the corresponding loop fasteners on the surface of the strip.
 16. An anti-slip attachment system, comprising: a strip for attaching to a shoulder area of a garment, the strip having at least one of hook fasteners and loop fasteners on a surface; and an anti-slip attachment apparatus including: a first section having a first section first side and a first section second side; at least one of hook fasteners and loop fasteners on the first section first side; a second section adjoining the first section, the second section having a second section first side and a second section second side; at least one of hook fasteners and loop fasteners on the second section first side; and at least one of hook fasteners and loop fasteners on the second section second side, wherein the second section is adapted to fold onto the first section such that the first section first side contacts the second section first side, the one of hook fasteners and loop fasteners of the second section first side contacting the other of hook fasteners and loop fasteners of the first section first side.
 17. The anti-slip attachment system of claim 16, wherein the anti-slip attachment apparatus further comprises: at least one of hook fasteners and loop fasteners on the first section second side.
 18. The anti-slip attachment system of claim 17, wherein the first section first side has loop fasteners, the second section first side has hook fasteners, the second section second side has hook fasteners, and the first section second side has loop fasteners. 